Printing Media Winding Angle Control for Wrinkle-Free Transport

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face issues with wrinkling and transport position accuracy due to varying frictional forces between printing media and transport rollers, which are influenced by material type, thickness, and environmental conditions, leading to print misalignment and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a winding angle changing unit that adjusts the angle at which the printing medium contacts the transport roller, allowing for precise control of frictional force based on medium type, roll weight, and environmental conditions to minimize wrinkling and improve transport accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If tension is applied to the printing medium using the tension applying mechanism, then floating and wrinkling of the printing medium upstream of the transport roller are suppressed, but the printing medium slips against the transport roller, causing transport position accuracy deterioration and print misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrinkling suppressionVSAvoidtransport position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the winding angle parameter of the printing medium on the transport roller to control the frictional force between them. By adjusting the winding angle, the system optimizes the balance between preventing wrinkles and maintaining transport position accuracy, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the winding angle adjustable and dynamic rather than fixed. The winding angle changing unit allows real-time modification of the winding angle based on different printing medium types and conditions, enabling the system to adaptively maintain optimal frictional force for each specific case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the frictional force between the printing medium and transport roller is increased to improve transport position accuracy, then print misalignment is reduced, but wrinkling of the printing medium increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport position accuracyVSAvoidwrinkling occurrence

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses winding angle as a controllable parameter to regulate frictional force. By adjusting the winding angle, the system can precisely control the friction between the printing medium and transport roller, achieving optimal transport position accuracy while preventing excessive wrinkling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the winding angle before the printing medium enters the transport roller. This pre-adjustment ensures that the frictional force is optimized in advance, preventing both wrinkles and transport inaccuracies before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a fixed tension applying mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but it is insufficiently effective in suppressing wrinkling for different printing medium types and environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidwrinkling suppression effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic winding angle changing unit that can adjust the winding angle based on different printing medium types and environmental conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability significantly improves wrinkling suppression effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the winding angle parameter to adapt to different printing medium types and environmental conditions. This parameter adjustment provides versatility and adaptability without requiring complex additional mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and suppression effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces wrinkling and enhances transport position accuracy, thereby improving print quality by optimizing the frictional interaction between the medium and the transport roller.

Implementation Method 1

a transport roller configured to apply a transport force to a printing medium and transport the printing medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

change a winding angle at which the printing medium comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the transport roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12577080B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a transport roller, a printing unit, and a winding angle changing unit. The transport roller is configured to apply a transport force to the printing medium and transport the printing medium. The printing unit is configured to perform printing on the printing medium transported. The winding angle changing unit is provided upstream of the transport roller in a transport direction of the printing medium and configured to change a winding angle at which the printing medium comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the transport roller.